Obtaining a Certificate of Compliance and a Certificate of Existence for a business corporation

This information will help you to obtain a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence for a corporation governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA).

Table of Contents

• What is a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence?
• Who can obtain a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence for a business corporation?
• If the corporate name has been amended, what corporate name will be shown on the Certificate of Existence?
• What is the date of the Certificate of Compliance or the Certificate of Existence?
• How do I make a request for a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence?
• What happens if the corporation does not meet the requirements for issuing the certificate?
• Related Information

What is a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence?

Certificate of Compliance

A Certificate of Compliance is issued by Corporations Canada to show that a corporation:

• exists under the CBCA, namely the corporation has not been dissolved, amalgamated into another corporation or discontinued so that it is governed by different legislation
• has filed the required annual returns with Corporations Canada
• has paid all required fees.

Certificate of Existence

A Certificate of Existence indicates that a corporation existed as of a specified date (for example: November 1, 2011). In other words, the certificate states that on the specified date, the corporation was not dissolved, amalgamated into another corporation, or discontinued and no longer governed by the CBCA. Corporations Canada can also issue a Certificate of Existence for a specific time period (for example: between January 1, 2011 and November 1, 2012) if the corporation was not dissolved, discontinued or amalgamated at any point during that period.

A Certificate of Existence does not certify that a corporation has sent all the required documents to Corporations Canada or that it has paid all required fees.

Who can obtain a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence for a business corporation?

Any person can request a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence for a business corporation.

If the corporate name has been changed, what corporate name will be shown on the Certificate of Existence?

If the corporate name has been changed, the Certificate of Existence will show the current corporate name even though it may have existed under a different name during part of the specific time period covered by the Certificate of Existence.

What is the date of the Certificate of Compliance or the Certificate of Existence?

The Certificate of Compliance or the Certificate of Existence will be dated as of the day Corporations Canada issues the certificate. The certificate cannot have a date prior to its issuance. The issuance date may not be the date on which the request is received by Corporations Canada.

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How do I make a request for a Certificate of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence?

To make an online request

Go to the Online Filing Center. Choose Obtain a Certificate of Compliance and follow the instructions.

Go to the Online Filing Center. Choose Obtain a Certificate of Existence and follow the instructions.

To make a request other than online (e-mail, fax, mail or in person)

You must send a request to Corporations Canada stating:

1. the corporate name of the corporation for which the certificate is being requested;
2. the corporation number (can be found on the online data base of Corporations Canada);
3. the type of certificate you are requesting (a Certification of Compliance or a Certificate of Existence);
4. in the case of a Certificate of Existence, the requested date or time period;
5. the name and telephone number of a contact person;
6. the e-mail address, the postal address or fax number to which Corporations Canada should send the certificate.

The request must also include the fee.

What happens if the corporation does not meet the requirements for issuing the certificate?

If the corporation does not meet the requirements for issuing the requested certificate, Corporations Canada will send the applicant a Notice of Refusal indicating the reasons why the certificate cannot be issued.

Related Information

How do I file my application under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA)?